Napoli plan tribute to Jeppson

Napoli plan tribute to Jeppson

Published Feb. 23, 2013 6:15 a.m. ET

Napoli are set to wear black armbands in tribute to their former striker Hans Jeppson, who died today at the age of 87.

A statement released on the official website of Jeppson's first club Djurgarden confirmed he had died at his home in Rome of undisclosed causes this morning.

Djurgarden claimed Jeppson, who originally left Sweden for Charlton in 1951, had become the most expensive player in the world when he joined Napoli from Atalanta for 150million lire in 1952.

Jeppson went on to score 52 goals in 112 appearances for Napoli and he remains in 11th place on the club's all-time scoring list.

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The Swede was a popular figure in southern Italy and Napoli have therefore asked permission to pay tribute to him when they face Udinese in Serie A on Monday night.

A statement on sscnapoli.it read: "On behalf of SSC Napoli and all its members, president Aurelio De Laurentiis expresses deep grief for the death of Hans Jeppson, one of the best players in the club's history.

"SSC Napoli have asked Lega Calcio for the permission to play Monday's match in Udine wearing black armbands and to observe a minute's silence before the start to commemorate Jeppson."

Jeppson also played 12 times for Sweden, scoring nine goals and helping the Scandinavian nation to a third-place finish at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil.

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